Since the beginning of social dynamism, provisions have been carefully structured to recognise and reward those whose performances aff ected mankind and changed communities.
Unfortunately, there is vast number of remarkable men and women who have carved a niche for themselves through personal and offi cial interventions, but these people are rarely recognised and celebrated.
Several refuse to make headlines while some either by omission or commission have been sidelined.
The Director General, National Teachers’ Institute (NTI), Kaduna, Prof Garba Dahuwa Azare, is in the latter category of personalities.
Azare is resuscitating NTI to an international standard as an award winning institution, not done in his quest for service to fatherland.
A strong believer in the Nigerian project but deep down Azare has achieved and accomplished remarkable feats in every responsibility held previously.
Since his appointment, Azare has redefi ned the NTI’s concept, ideas and structures with astute dynamism.
Prof.
Azare is doing fantastic job as the NTI’s staff are singing melodious songs.
Germane to these, Azare combines exceptional intellect and the vision upon which the institute was founded to train quality teachers.
Th is piece was compelled by the candour, patriotism and passion the DG brought to bear in the discharge of his responsibilities in the last one year in offi ce with monumental turnarounds at NTI.
Prof.
Azare hit the ground running with the immediate implementation of the new Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) rate for staff of the institute.
Prior to Azare administration, it was the old rate that was paid despite the Federal Circular directing that the new rate should be implemented.
Aside non-implementation, staff bore the brunt of having the amount halved after fi ve days each time they travel.
But Azare has discarded the old order and ensured full payment.
Th ere was promotion for 2015/2016 for junior and senior staff and appointment of acting directors, after the retirement of substantive directors in accordance with Civil Service Rules.
Th ere was transfer of staff in relevance to their qualifi cations, skills and schedules of duty for eff ective utilisation.
Th is helped to a large extent to motivate staff and repositioned NTI for better performance.
Realising that the then existing Organogram was not in line with the mandate of the institute, Azare sought and got approval to replace it with a new Organogram.
Th is raised NTI’s performance to optimal level.
Th e Azare administration has already paid the inherited backlog of allowances owed course facilitators and other allowances for course tutors, prompt payment of the quarterly allocation to states, zonal offi ces and running cost to centres of the institute nationwide.
Th is gesture has motivated NTI fi eld staff in its over 240 centres across the country.
Azare’s management style and acumen, which is due process-oriented, has combined diplomatic approach and the spirit of fairness to solve the lingering problem between the National Universities Commission (NUC) and NTI on the degree and post-graduate programmes of the institute.
Now, NTI has followed laid down procedures in running the programmes with NUC’s nod.
NTI’s management led by the indefatigable Prof.
Azare has visited almost all the 36 states of the federation including the FCT to meet with commissioners of education and other stakeholders.
Such has yielded result for the institute.
Th e same was applied for the National Centre for the Strengthening of Science and Mathematics, a centre in NTI, Kaduna, which is being strengthened.
It is done to augment the quality and standard of NTI’s programmes for effi cient service delivery.
Th e present management under Azare has replaced all old furniture at the headquarters, zonal and state offi ces of NTI nationwide.
Th is has beefed up teaching and learning as well as provided conducive atmosphere for staff ’s optimal performnce in line with global best practices.
NTI staff development and training has been prioritized.
Staff have been encouraged to develop themselves through in-service training.
Some are studying degrees, higher degrees and doctorate in various fi elds relevant to their schedule of duties for self development and that of the institute.
Training allowances are promptly paid.
Azare has ensured that there is effective monitoring of examinations by staff from the headquarters and states, to ensure quality and compliance to standard during the examinations.
Prof Azare, recently in a workshop, advocated the introduction of Environmental Education in our schools in order to appreciate the roles environment plays in our lives.
Th is will be the focus of my next article, God willing.
Th e Azare management has resuscitated the Green Teacher programme which was abandoned by the previous administration.
NTI is set to off er Diploma in Environment Education in collaboration with the Commonwealth of Learning and other partners on the Green Teacher project.
Th is was refl ected in the recent workshop where the curriculum is being developed.
Th e workshop, held at NTI, Kaduna, had in attendance participants from Federal Ministries of Education and Environment, Abuja.
No doubt, the present management style has avoided the abuse of carting away fl eets of vehicles for domestic use of the chief executive and use of bullion siren vans as witnessed in previous administration.
Recently, NTI matriculated its students.
Th e new students were inducted and oriented on nature and duration of their programmes.
Th is was done intensively to prepare the students for their studies and future challenges.
Experts in the education sector are of the opinion that all hope is not yet lost with the new DG NTI Prof.
Garba Dahuwa Azare, a man of intrinsic worth, in place.
A lot is expected of him to bring into bear his long years of meritorious service to our fatherland at NTI Kaduna, Kaduna state, Nigeria.
As a courageous professor/leader, anticorruption crusader, Azare’s impactful policies and programmes will not only equip teachers but also students at all levels in Nigeria, because, the quality of teachers will surely determine the intellectual development of students.
Dauda-Eibo, media and communication specialist, wrote via email:mohammedeibo2014@gmail.
com; 08053954802
